Roy Keane - Relationship With Alex
Ferguson

In his autobiography Roy
Keane emphasises the nature of his relationship with Alex
Ferguson, the Manchester
United manager. He details the strengths and talents of a man that
Keane believes "...was the perfect manager for me."[Page
215]. While there is no doubt that Ferguson was the most important
man in soccer to Roy Keane, one is left with the impression that he over-emphasises
Ferguson's ability to manage Keane in order to make his point about the
deficiencies of Mick
McCarthy.

In some ways this is facile
and pointless as almost any British or Irish manager pales by comparison
to Sir Alex Ferguson. The Manchester
United manager has a unique record in football that will probably never
be surpassed. Also the overstating of the strength of the relationship
between Keane and Ferguson in the autobiography looks particularly overblown
in view of the subsequent acrimony that surrounded Roy
Keane's departure from Old Trafford.

Inspirational & Meticulous Alex
Ferguson

In his autobiography Keane
makes it clear that he was impressed by Alex Ferguson from the moment
that he first met him. Before Keane transferred from Nottingham Forest
to Manchester United he and Ferguson met at Ferguson's Manchester home.
"I liked him straight away...he was unaffected, funny and reassuringly
human."[Page 81]. One
of his earliest recollections of the set up at United Keane highlights
why he "...could see why United were champions: a team of top
class players; immaculate preparation on the training ground; the inspirational
presence of Alex Ferguson" There is absolutely no doubt that
this is all accurate but Manchester United would not be one of the biggest
and richest clubs in the world if it were not. From his earliest interactions
with the Republic of Ireland Keane felt
that the set up was a "shambles" compared to Manchester
United "...where Alex Ferguson ensured that every detail was attended
to with meticulous care..."[Page 100].
In fairness to Keane he does recognise that readers might see his criticisms
as "...too critical..." but "...the influence
of working for Alex Ferguson...explains where I was coming from."[Page
129].

Alex Ferguson's Story

In chapter 8 of his autobiography
Keane recognises just how important Ferguson was to him. "It is
more Alex Ferguson's story than mine for it was - and remains - his decisions
that determined our destinies as Manchester United players."[Page
145]. He then goes on to cite a series of incidents where he feels
that Ferguson excelled as a football manager and particularly as a man-manager.
His autobiography makes it clear
that Ferguson was the most important person in Keane's life outside of
his family [Page 133]. "I didn't
want him to leave the club..." and he was "delighted"
when Ferguson reversed his decision to quit as manager of United.
[Pages 240-241].

Alex Ferguson's Appreciation of Roy
Keane

It is clear that up until
the latter stages of his Manchester United career Keane's admiration for
Ferguson was reciprocated. It is often said that Keane was the embodiment
of Ferguson's ethos on the soccer pitch and Ferguson is on record as saying
that it was an honour to be associated with Keane. In an interview with
Sky Sports in 2004 Ferguson said: "He is my best player. It's
not just the quality of his game, it is also his influence and great determination.
There are a lot of parts to making a great player - he has fulfilled them
all." In February 2005 Ferguson said: "When you are talking
about Manchester United 30 or 500 years from now, Roy Keane will be regarded
as one of the greatest players ever at this club."

In Michael Crick's biography
of Ferguson the Manchester United manager is quoted as saying "When
I look at Roy Keane I often see myself, I equate this to his passion,
desire and striving for perfection. He cares. He's a born winner. He is
the driving force, the inspiration, the best reader of the game, the best
talker of the game, the biggest winner."[Page
597]. High praise indeed from the best manager that British soccer
has ever seen. Famously Alex Ferguson once said of Keane; "If
I was putting Roy Keane out there to represent Manchester United on a
one against one, we'd win the Derby, the National, the Boat Race and anything
else. It's an incredible thing he's got."

Alex Ferguson V Mick
McCarthy

Ferguson believed that
Roy Keane was one of the greatest players to ever play for Manchester
United and Keane reciprocated the feeling when he said that Ferguson was
the only one in football to whom he would ever listen. It was Mick McCarthy's
misfortune that right throughout his reign as the Republic
of Ireland manager this mutual appreciation was at it's height and
no manager, especially one that Keane had a personal dislike for, could
achieve anything like that level respect from Keane. But if Keane and
Ferguson had such huge respect for each other how is that Keane left Manchester
United in such an acrimonious manner?

Keane's Views on Ferguson
in 2012

The following piece was
reported by Irish Time journalist Mary Hannigan during a visit to Ireland
by Roy Keane in May 2012.

His work with ITV contributed
to a further cooling of his relationship with Alex Ferguson, one that
was already chilly enough. When Manchester United were knocked out of
the Champions League Keane had a pop, saying they got what they deserved.
Fergusons response was a touch cutting: I dont know
why you are bringing this up from a television critic. Roy had an opportunity
to prove himself as a manager and its a hard job."

But I understood
where he was coming from, says Keane. It was only natural
he was going to come out and have a dig back because hes going to
defend his players. But when there were snidey comments coming I had a
little dig back . . . you have to defend yourself when people are being
critical of your managerial record, or whatever. Players like myself helped
him get the record hes got. People should remember that.

Did he envisage a time
he would have a good relationship again with Ferguson?

I wouldnt
have thought so, no.

Thanks to the Irish Times for the kind permission
to reproduce the above from reporter Mary Hannigan's piece in the newspaper
on Friday 4th May 2012.